There is provided a method for controlling a flow of sperms in a uterine tube of a female patient. The method comprises electrically stimulating a uterine tube wall portion by controlling an implanted stimulation device from at least one of an external control unit and an internal control unit, wherein the electrically stimulating causes contraction of the uterine tube wall portion along a length of the portion to restrict the flow of sperms in the uterine tube.

The invention provides a bioreactor and methods for tissue cultivation. A bioreactor module comprises a container, a holder adapted to hold a scaffold containing an inherent vascular network, an inlet connectable to a vessel of the inherent vascular network, an inflatable device disposed within the container, and a pair of electrodes attached to opposing walls of the container, wherein the holder is removably receivable in the container and the inflatable device has a conduit extending through a wall of the container. An alternative embodiment provides an in-vitro method for tissue cultivation, comprising seeding an interior and an exterior of a vessel of an inherent vascular network of a scaffold with a first and a second cell type, respectively, and perfusing through the inherent vascular network with culture medium to facilitate compartmentalized co-cultivation of the first and the second cell type in different niches of the tissue. A further embodiment provides an in-vitro method for tissue cultivation, comprising seeding a surface of a scaffold with a predetermined cell type, and perfusing the scaffold with culture medium from an opposite surface of the scaffold through the scaffold and towards the seeded surface to create a nutrient/oxygen gradient and cause migratory diffusion induced penetration of cells towards the opposite surface.

An apparatus for controlling a flow of sperms in a uterine tube formed by a uterine tube wall of a patient's uterine tube comprises an implantable constriction device for gently constricting (i.e. without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the uterine tube wall) at least one portion of the uterine tube wall to influence the flow in the uterine tube, and a stimulation device for stimulating the wall portion of the uterine tube wall. A control device controls the stimulation device to stimulate the wall portion, as the constriction device constricts the wall portion, to cause contraction of the wall portion constricted by the constriction device to further influence the flow in the uterine tube. The apparatus can be used for restricting or stopping the flow in the uterine tube, or for actively moving the fluid in the uterine tube, with a low risk of injuring the uterine tube.

According to various embodiments, there is provided a bioreactor module including a container; a holder removably receivable in the container, the holder adapted to hold a scaffold containing an inherent vascular network; an inlet connectable to a vessel of the inherent vascular network of the scaffold; an inflatable device disposed substantially near a base of the container, the inflatable device having a conduit extending through a wall of the container; and a pair of electrodes attached to opposing walls of the container.

There is provided a method for controlling a flow of sperms in a uterine tube of a female patient. The method comprises electrically stimulating a uterine tube wall portion by controlling an implanted stimulation device from at least one of an external control unit and an internal control unit, wherein the electrically stimulating causes contraction of the uterine tube wall portion along a length of the portion to restrict the flow of sperms in the uterine tube.

There is provided a method for controlling a flow of sperms in a uterine tube formed by a uterine tube wall of a patient. The method comprises gently constricting (i.e., without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the uterine tube wall) at least one portion of the uterine tube wall to influence the flow of sperms in the uterine tube, and stimulating the constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the uterine tube wall portion to further influence the flow of sperms in the uterine tube. The method can be used for restricting or stopping the flow of sperms in the uterine tube, or for actively moving the fluid in the uterine tube, with a low risk of injuring the uterine tube.

A medical device for interacting with a patient's cervix is provided. The device includes a grasper configured to allow gripping and compression of a patient's cervix when disposed proximate a patient's cervix and an elongate catheter comprising a distal portion that is selectively releasably connectable to the grasper. The grasper is adapted to interact with at least a portion of a patient's cervix when deployed, and a flexible member that extends from a first end portion of the grasper, with a proximal end portion retained by the grasper and an opposite distal end portion extending away from the grasper to a distal tip.

A contraceptive or occlusion system for restricting and later opening up a reproductive tract or lumen of the vas deferens. The system is adapted to be reversible after implantation, including implantation on, around or within the vas deferens. A method and system to reconnect a severed body lumen, such as the vas deferens, is also provided.